gossip is a hurtful thing

Gossip exists everywhere that people live. However, it seems to get magnified within small communities.

I have learned that people make assumptions and stories get created, perhaps sometimes maliciously, but probably more often unwittingly, due to misunderstandings.

The words spread through gossip often have the power to hurt not only the person who is the object of the gossip, but also the listener who believes the gossip.

This is the case in the latest string of untruths abounding around here. I can't be sure at this point if my hurt is due to the rumor-mill continually churning with my name surfacing time and time again... or because a particular listener has now been hurt by what is heard. Maybe it is a painful combination of the two.

let the random thoughts begin:
some people are just stupid.
should i be flattered?
hurt.
and to think, these people are supposed to be my friends. maybe they don't consider me as such. obviously not.
why do i feel like i should be flattered? is that the way they want me to feel? i'm not.
only a true friend will confront you with what is being said about you when you aren't around.
a true friend defends your name when you aren't there to defend yourself.
i love small towns.... but it sucks to hold a 'high profile' job in one.
i need to throw up.
i want to hit somebody. a few bodies.
the very nerve.
assholes.
is there any justice in counteracting gossip with truth?
people believe what they want to.
other people still continue to talk.
what about the "if they aren't talking about me, they're talking about someone else" logic?
still hurts.
i should probably do some work and quit my silent venting.